Intelligent Control of Consolidation and Solidification Processes

Intelligent processing of materials (IPM) deals with the integration of process models and in situ sensors into an intelligent process controller to achieve desired material properties. IPM-based control systems recently have been developed for both consolidation and solidification processes. This article explores the application of models based on the finite- element method (FEM) to develop process actuation systems, to design process schedules and component shape, and to develop a control model with which to control the process. The results in this article were presented at the AeroMat ’93 Advanced Aerospace Materials/Processes Conference and Exposition, Anaheim, CA, 7–10 June 1993